Tennessee
London  Oct 11th  1863
	My Dear and much
beloved Parents it is with
pleasure that I now sit
down to write you a
few lines. we have been
getting our mail verry
eregular for the last 8 weeks
and it was still more
so going Home. I recieved
a letter which was mailed
the 5 of last month and
it is the latest news
from Home I am glad to 
hear the boys are turning
out so well their country
needs them verry much
indeed I have seen Little
Hiram Lovejoy since we
started on the march
he was tough and hearty

and the same old sixpence
he was then at Green river
bridge. Ky our Company
are now detailed on Provost
Guard here in town. we are
in verry good quarters now
and I think we Shall stay
here all winter but no
telling what we may do. it
is getting quite cold here at
least you would call it so
in Michigan. I have not sent
for the Dictionary yet
and I dont think it will
be safe to send us the mail
is not safe it has been some
time since I was paid off and
it is verry uncertain when we
shall be again. has Puff come 
back yet. are rats thick this
fall or not. is aunt Mary [ann?]
at our House now if she is
tell her She must write


too me and I will answer
her letters has Lucinda got
tough yet or not has
Aunt Mary Got a
Divorce from Gates yet.
when you write tell me.
how your corn and
potatoes turned out this
fall. was wheat good in
our neighborhood this fall
have Uncle Williams folks
got back from Yorkstate
yet. when you write tell
me the news generaly and
also tell me how the
times are in Michigan
now. Will Warren is tough
and so am I it is an
imposibility to get a likeness
taken here I have been in
hearing of the guns at a 
battle but that is all as yet
and I hope it may be


now as I have told you all
the news I will quit for
this time so good bie
from your ever true and
loving son. I. G. A.

	Directions
      Israel G Atkins
Co H 23 Regt Mich VI
2d Brig 2d Div 23 army
Corpse      Louisville Ky

Dear sister now I will 
answer your line I like
to hear from you and I 
want you to write as often
as you can mind ma and
Pa and be a good Girl to willie
Kiss him for me
     Good bie from Illie